YACKIE, JULIUS FIDEL "DULEY," Corporal, Service # 17072536, U.S. Army Air Force

Born in 1920 in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Theodore Joseph (other tree, Fidel) Yackie (1873-1964) and Rosa Lena (Armstrong) Yackie, second from the oldest of eight children. His siblings included Agnes Louise (Yackie) Wilson (1907-1978), Theodore J. Yackie Jr. (1908-1995), John Francis Yackie (1910-1928), Thomas Henry Yackie (1913-1989), Edith Lorine (Yackie) Wallace (1915-1992), Alfred Louis Yackie (1916-1993) and Wenzel Christian Yackie (1921-2009). His grandparents came from Fulenbach, Switzerland in 1872 and settled in Missouri. The 2 Jan., 1920 census for St. Joseph, MO shows his father working in a railroad freight house.

Julius registered for the WW II draft on 16 October 1940, describing himself as brown hair with brown eyes, 5'9", and 140 lbs. Cousin Kenneth Yackie, born 1914, served in WW II, and enlisted 10 April 1941, U.S. Army, and honorably discharged 16 June 1945. Died 22 December 1985 in Salinas, Monterrey County, California. Brother Theodore J. Yackie Jr., born 30 May 1908, enlisted in the U.S.Army 1 July 1942 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and was honorably discharged as a Technician Fifth grade, service # 17058301. He died 20 Nov., 1995 and is bured in Leavenworth National Cemetery. Alfred L. Yackie, born 27 December 1916, enlisted in the U.S. Army 4 Nov., 1941 and was honorably discharged 26 Nov., 1945. Wenzel C. Yackie (1921-2009) enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force on 1 July 1942 in Leavenworth, KS (enlisted svc # 17058296), and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force 31 Jan., 1971, a Lieutenant Colonel. As a SSgt., he served in the 8th Air Force in England then in the Pacific theatre of operations. He served in the Intelligence operations during Vietnam, returned 4 Sep., 1970, and was awarded an achievement medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star (Meritorious). The Yackies were undoubtedly heroic.

The Atchison Daily Glove of 29 June 1945, mentions that three of the Yackie's were serving: Corporal Theodore J. Yackie Jr., on Luzon, Philippines; Corporal Alfred Yackie, McChord Field, WA (McChord AFB); and SSgt Wenzel C. Yackie, on a brief furlough then on his way to the Pacific from England with the U.S.A.A.F. with the 8th Air Force. He was survived by another brother, Thomas Yackie, Los Angeles, California, and two sisters.

Julius F. “Duley” Yackie was the type of person whom special operations seeks. He was a religious man, diligent, smart and athletic. He enjoyed the outdoors and adventure. He enjoyed life and loved his family. He was cheerful, dependable and seemed always calm. He played basketball in H.S. Before his enlistment, he worked as a moulder's helper at the L.F.M. After training at 29 Palms, California, Rosewell, New Mexico, and Scott Field, IL (Scott AFB, IL), Julius was sent overseas, assigned to the 1st Commando Group, U.SA.A.F., which often worked with O.S.S. Detachment 101 in Burma. He was mentioned in Any Place Any Time Any Where, by Wagner. He is listed on the memorial plaque for 1st Air Commando at Hurlburt AFB, home of USAF Special Operations.